Browsing by Author "Isichei, Augustine Onwuegbukiwe"

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    Effect of Tree Canopy Cover on Grass Species in Nigerian Guinea Savanna
    (1994) Muoghalu, Joseph Ikechukwu; Isichei, Augustine Onwuegbukiwe
    The effect of tree canopy cover on the yield, crude protein (CP), and fibre content of grass species in the Nigerian Guinea savanna was studied. The following grass species, Andropogon gayanus, Hyparrhenia involucrata, Hyparrhenia smithiana, Pennisetum polystachion, Rottboellia cochinchinensis, and Setaria barbata occur more under tree canopies than in the open. The overall yield under tree canopy and in the open was influenced by the proportionate contribution .of these species to the total yield. Grass yields were significantly higher under canopies provided by trees taller than 7 m than under shorter canopies. The difference between percentage CP, fibre, and lignin in plants growing under tree canopies and those in the open were not significant.
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    The Effects of Tree Canopy Cover on Soil Fertility in a Nigerian Savanna
    (1992) Isichei, Augustine Onwuegbukiwe; Muoghalu, Joseph Ikechukwu
    The effect of tree canopy cover on soil properties was studied over three periods: mid-dry season (January), mid-growth period (August) and peak-growth period (October) in three 1 ha plots in savanna of north-west Nigeria. The objective was to find out whether tree canopies change the nutrient status of the soil under them relative to adjacent grasslands. Soils under tree canopies were found to have significantly higher levels of organic matter, calcium, magnesium, potassium, total exchangeable bases, cation exchange capacity and pH than those in open grasslands. Nitrogen and phosphorus were slightly higher in soils under tree canopies than those in the open grasslands. Trees 7m and above had more influence on soil properties than smaller trees. Differences in soil properties among the study plots were due to differences in their soil texture. Seasonal trends were observed in organic matter, carbon, nitrogen ratio, cation exchange capacity, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, total exchangeable cations and percentage base saturation.